Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Mark 2:1
ESV And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.
NIV A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
NASB When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home.
CSB When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home.
NLT When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home.
KJV And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
NKJV And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.

What does Mark 2:1 mean?

After traveling and healing throughout Galilee, Jesus and His current disciples—Andrew, Simon Peter, James, and John—return to Capernaum. It's unclear what exactly "after some days" refers to. It could be that Jesus' tour around Galilee only took a few days. This phrase might mean it took a few days for the Capernaum residents to realize He'd returned. It's also unclear to whose home Jesus has returned, but most scholars suggest it is Andrew and Peter's. Matthew 4:12–13 says after John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus left Nazareth and lived in Capernaum. John 2:12 suggests that Mary and Jesus' siblings were not residents of Capernaum, although they stayed there for a while. When these family members later confront Jesus, it apparently happens in Capernaum (Mark 3:31–35).

Capernaum is where Jesus had healed Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30–31) as well as many other sick and injured from the region (Mark 1:32–34). This is also the place from where Jesus had escaped to go into the wilderness to pray (Mark 1:35–37). The house in Capernaum becomes the headquarters of His ministry, which is consistent with what He will later tell His disciples (Mark 6:7–13).

This choice by Jesus raises a point worth considering: when traveling for ministry we may wish to ease the burden placed on a single host family, by instead moving around. At the same time, Jesus teaches that it is important to have a place that acts as home. The idea of hospitality is important in the culture and in the Bible. The book of 3 John is devoted to the idea, and Hebrews 13:2 says that gracious hosts may entertain angels without knowing it. Abraham's guests included not only angels but the LORD Himself (Genesis 18:1–8).

Jesus' stay, however, will not be particularly peaceful. His arrival is announced in a city that had already inundated Him with requests for healing and promises to do so again. This time, Jesus will use the opportunity to demonstrate that His power and authority not only heals bodies, but a sinful man's relationship with God.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit